| With the recent growth in VOIP and internet | | | | category you will see all of the same |
| telephones, there has also been an increase | | | | features that are available in regular analog |
| in the selection of hardware available for | | | | telephones, with the addition of some |
| use with VOIP. This new array of hardware | | | | features unique to internet telephones. This |
| can sometimes be confusing to the user | | | | can include features such as videophone |
| shopping for a VOIP phone system. This | | | | capability, interface to SIP providers and |
| article will attempt to explain the different | | | | built-in data ports. |
| types of VOIP phone systems that are | | | | |
| available, and offer some suggestions as to | | | | Hardphones are also available that connect to |
| what to look for when selecting one that | | | | the high-speed internet connection using WLAN |
| meets your needs. | | | | or WiFi. These phones provide the greatest |
| | | | flexibility, as there is no cabling involved |
| VOIP phone systems can be grouped into three | | | | at all since they simply require an active |
| broad categories. 1) USB handsets, also | | | | wireless lan connection within range. |
| referred to as VOIP or IP handsets, 2) | | | | |
| Handsets with built-in interfaces to | | | | The third category, that of ATAs or IP Phone |
| high-speed internet connections, referred to | | | | Adapters, require a regular analog telephone |
| as hardphones and 3) Adapters which interface | | | | in order to implement a complete internet |
| regular analog telephones to high-speed | | | | telephone. You would probably want to use an |
| internet connections, referred to as ATAs | | | | ATA if you already own a sophisticated |
| (Analog Telephone Adapters) or IP Phone | | | | wireless analog phone system with multiple |
| Adapters. | | | | handsets. ATAs cost a good deal less than |
| | | | hardphones, and allow you to take advantage |
| The first category, that of USB handsets, can | | | | of your existing telephone hardware. ATAs, |
| be further divided into two types. The first | | | | like hardphones, are also available with WLAN |
| type is simply a handset with earpiece and | | | | and WiFi interfaces to your high-speed |
| microphone and possibly a keypad and display, | | | | internet connection. |
| that interfaces to a PC softphone (such as | | | | |
| those provided by Skype, Firefly, etc). This | | | | Some features to look for in VOIP handsets |
| type handles only the analog voice signals, | | | | include video capability, handset |
| touch tone generation and display of call id | | | | speakerphone, intercom feature, color lcd |
| information, while the softphone application | | | | display, built-in data ports and selectable |
| takes care of the rest of the implementation | | | | handset ringtones. A major consideration |
| of the internet telephone. | | | | when choosing an internet telephone system is |
| | | | compatibility with your provider. Be sure to |
| The second type of USB handset will have a | | | | check the manufacturers specifications, as |
| keypad, display, earpiece and mouthpiece much | | | | well as whether or not your VOIP service |
| like the first type. However, this type will | | | | provider recommends or supports a given phone |
| come with driver software that interfaces the | | | | system. |
| handset directly to the high-speed internet | | | | |
| connection. This software will run in the | | | | Some of the major brands of VOIP handsets are |
| background, much like a printer or modem | | | | Vtech, Uniden, Phillips, US Robotics and |
| driver. All of the dialing, display and | | | | Radian Technologies. Linksys and Dlink are |
| voice conversion is handled by the handset, | | | | two companies with extensive experience in |
| and a PC softphone is not required. | | | | data networking that produce ATA-type |
| | | | equipment. Vtech and Uniden offer some of |
| USB handsets are available in corded and | | | | the most advanced cordless VOIP handsets and |
| cordless versions. The corded handset will | | | | hardphones. Their leadership in the area of |
| plug directly into the USB port using a USB | | | | traditional analog cordless phones has given |
| cable. The cordless versions will have a | | | | them an advantage in producing feature-rich |
| base station that plugs into the USB port, | | | | internet telephone systems. Linksys and |
| while the handset maintains a wireless | | | | Dlink offer some of the most capable hardware |
| connection to the base station. This type of | | | | in the area of ATA-type equipment, including |
| cordless phone operates on the same | | | | multi-port ATAs and routers or modems with |
| frequencies that regular analog cordless | | | | built-in ATAs. |
| phones use. | | | | |
| | | | As you can see, there is a wide selection of |
| VOIP phone systems in the second category, | | | | equipment available for implementing an |
| handsets with built-in interfaces to | | | | internet telephone. When choosing equipment, |
| high-speed internet connections (hardphones), | | | | look for hardware that is easy to connect and |
| operate independently of a PC and they | | | | configure, and as simple to operate as |
| connect directly to the Ethernet port on your | | | | possible. Ideally, using VOIP handsets |
| DSL or cable modem or router. This type of | | | | should be no more complicated than using a |
| handset offers the most features, and can | | | | regular analog telephone, but with the |
| range from a corded handset to a complete | | | | benefit of the added features unique to |
| desktop phone with speakerphone. In this | | | | internet telephones. |